I let out a halfhearted laugh. “I’d hardly call rubbing alcohol on a wound impressive.”
Ryder suddenly spins around and grabs the cotton ball from my hand. “The impressive part is your desire to help those regardless of if they deserve it.”
I shake my head. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Try to convince me that you’re some monster.”
“I don’t do that,” he fires back.
“Yes, you do.” I do my best to keep my voice level and matter of fact. “Not all the time. But you do it. Whether you realize it or not.”
His eyes narrow on me. “I’m not trying to convince you, Reign. I’m trying to warn you.”
I laugh and he instantly looks irritated by it.
“I can handle it, you know?” I break away from his gaze and start collecting the blood-soaked cotton balls. “The truth, that is.”
“I know you can. It’s me who can’t handle it.”
His response takes me by surprise, and I snap my head up to find him pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes tightly shut as if he’s in physical pain admitting it to me.
“What do you mean?”
He looks up and there’s a sense of sadness behind his eyes that makes my heart drop.
“I can’t handle you hating me.”
I want to tell him I wouldn’t. That nothing he could tell me would make me look at him any differently. But I don’t. Not because it’s not true, but because he’s already gone before I can get the words out.
“Not bad, Reign! Not bad at all.” Emeric claps from the edge of the mat, assessing my kicks with Amaya.
“That last one felt a little personal,” Amaya accuses as she rubs the side of her ribs where the last blow landed.
It wasn’t but I can’t deny I’ve had some built up aggression the past few days. With Damien on a death mission and the royal fuck up I made with the portal, I haven’t been in the best headspace as of late. Not only did I not get the answers I desperately need about what I am, but we didn’t find the scepter and now have no way of getting back to the lost island. Even if we could risk using the portals, there are a million and one chances of us ending up there again.
“Let’s see how you do with me as your opponent.” Em steps up to take Amaya’s place and the cocky smirk he’s wearing tells me he doesn’t plan on going easy.
When the top of my foot connects with his chin, he’s just as shocked as I am, only it’s not for the same reason. I instantlyturn around to follow Emeric’s gaze and when I seehimmy entire body stills, including my heartbeat.
“Well, are you going to come hug me or not?”
My mind is still in a daze, but my legs seem to be in working order as they take me to him. His strong arms wrap around me, squeezing me tightly to his toned body. The gentle touch of his hand stroking my hair should make this moment feel real, but I’ve imagined it so many times before that it only feels like a dream.
He’s here. He’s safe.
“Let me take a look at you.”
Kane lifts my arms up by my hands, taking in my appearance. His light grey eyes begin to well up as his face falls.
“I’m okay.” I pull his palm to my cheek so he can feel the warmth of my skin. “I’m alive. You didn’t kill me.”
“Well, he kind of did.”
I whirl my head around to glare at Emeric. “Not helping.”
“I’m so sorry, Reign. I didn’t want to—”
